The Grenada gazette., 1887-11-05
HER SECOND CHOICE.
Mrs. Wallace's "Miserly Old Broth
er-in-Law."

What pity it is that this sort Q
life can't last forever said the Wido,
Wallace, with sigh and smile.
The picnic in the woods had proved
perfect success. The ice-cool drinks
We're delicious, the cold fowl was per
feet and the lobster moyonnatS
couldn't have been exceled by Del.
monico himself And the sponge cake
was lighter than golden feathers; anG
the chicken pie was favored to {
nicely, and there were forks, spoons
and napkins enough for every body
athing that seldom happens at a pic
uic.
And the dancing was going briskly
OIL in the covered platform to the
music Of two tiddles and harp; and
Mrs. Wallace leaned over the edge of
the little ripping brook, her fair fin
gers in the water her straw hat gar
landed aroUad with fern leaves and
wild roses.
Nj, Madison watched her, with dark
eyes Of langnid amusement. as he
sat reclining against the trunk of a
giant oak, with his hands clasped on
the top of his head, in an attitude Of
not ungraceful dolce far ntente.
'Nell, why can't it last forever9"
said he, slowly.
Mrs. Wallace made a slight move.
inent Of impatience.
"Fhy2' said she-"UhV" can't itY
That is 4 mans question for all the
world. When you know perfectly well
that have got to 90 to work, teach
ing, in the autumn
She looked such a child, herself,
with the loose brown curls blown
about her sweet, dimplcd face. and,
after all, she was only nineteen.
"Ah, yes, ! remember" said Mr..
Madison, rousing himself up into some
thing like active interest. you were
left unproyided for, by the death of
your husband"
Yes" said Mrs. Wallace, with n
slight shrug Of the shoulders. "We
were two Babes in the Woods
Charley and !. I didn't understand
economy and Charley didn't know |
how to save; and when he died there |
was nothing left but debts"
"But there was a rich brotber--a
haIf brother-a something-wasn'tI !
there?' |
The Widow Wallaco's bright brown
eyes sparkled with indignant fire.
"1es'' said she. Charley made
quite sure that he would provide for
me. But he hasn't"
Have you asked him"
"No; Of course haven't" retorted
the widow. ut is his business to
come to me. And, besides, I have
been told that-that he was not quite
pleased when Charley married poor
httle district school teacher like me.
AND I'm not beggar,' added Mrs.
Wallace. with spirit.
He may be very good sort of fel.
low, suggested Madison, slcepiIv.
But he isn't" said the widow
''He S miserly old crab. And hate
him. And I'd sooner starve than applv
to nm for help. He knows perfectly
wen mat was poor, and he has never
volunteered to help me-"
What savage he must BE-" said
Mr.. Madison.
Il can teach," said Mrs. Wallace;
'thatis' if Isucceed in getting = school;
Or could give music lessons, only it
IS so impossible to obtain scholars
nowadays. And l can do veyy nice
six embroidery and paint on china,
ana learned to mend point lace beau.
l1ully when / was in the convent"
'bnt all these employments are diff ,
hcult to obtain, and poorly paid when
you secure them,' suggested Mr.. Mad. .
son.
Please don't discourage me-" said
Ine n; w widow Wallace, looking up with ,
bright plaintive eyes, because I've ,
-. 20 ~ofk Tor my living now. I've
90. lustenough money to pay my board {
, ,ere until the first Of September, and
the world begins in good 4
'arnest Tor me-the real, hard, work.
l-day world"
-, Ana there was a suppressed sob in
ne poor, torlorn little ere eature's voice
nat went to Madison's heart
"Dc you know" said he. 'Td try :
hat brether-in-law again, III wers '
ou' ne may not be a. black as be il o
d
''Neverr' said the widow. And n
,eu, as If with an after thought. r. 4
ddod:
'Mr Madison, please don't think q
70 too communicating in telling Won =,
y this OF course 1 can't expect Che a,
ord to bs interested In my affairs: q,
Ut whom VOW showed real sympathy. 3